Our latest OFW feature takes us from the sandy regions of the UAE to the natural wonders of Canada! After 17 years in Dubai, Ken Madronero and his family made the big decision to relocate to the Greater Toronto Area. Currently, Ken works as a Global Payments Manager for a large payments company in Canada; specifically covering the North America area.
Several years back, after getting married in the Philippines, Ken and his wife moved to Dubai, where both of them achieved thriving careers. They have two sons, who grew up in this bustling, diverse, and multicultural city. Life was wonderful here, though they knew it wasn’t meant to last forever. They yearned to move to a country that their family could truly call “home.”
In this OFW interview, Ken narrates how he and his family moved to the “Land of Maple.” He points out differences between living in the UAE and Canada, and how he and his family have adapted to distinctive changes in weather, recreation, healthcare, and work-life balance. Learn more about Ken and his “Bisdak Family in Canada” through this inspiring OFW feature!
Contents
- OFW Feature: Ken, Global Payments Manager in Canada
- 1. Tell us about yourself.
- 2. Why did you come to Dubai? What were your previous jobs?
- 3. What inspired your decision to leave Dubai and migrate to Canada?
- 4. What do you do in Canada? Can you tell us more about your career journey there?
- 5. How long did it take for you to process the move? What were the biggest challenges you faced during the migration process, and how did you overcome them?
- 6. How is life in Canada compared to your experience living in Dubai?
- 7. What do you miss most about living in Dubai?
- 8. What are your plans for your career/family/future?
- 9. What advice would you give to other OFWs or families considering migrating to Canada?
- BONUS: Would you like to share a special message?
- Connect with Ken Online
OFW Feature: Ken, Global Payments Manager in Canada
Name: Ken Madronero
Current Profession: Global Payments Manager
Years Abroad: 17 years in Dubai, moved to Canada in 2022
1. Tell us about yourself.
Hello! My name is Ken. I’m a Global Payments Manager covering North America. Shortly after our honeymoon, my wife and I made the bold decision to move overseas and build our life together.
I was among the pioneering team that helped launch Groupon Middle East and later continued my journey with Cobone. Along the way, I earned multiple Sales Manager of the Year awards, recognizing consistent performance and impact.
After relocating to Canada, I continued that momentum — closing the highest-revenue deal of 2024 and earning Deal of the Year, outperforming payment consultants from across the globe.
2. Why did you come to Dubai? What were your previous jobs?
Like most OFWs, the plan was simple: work abroad for three to five years, save up, then return home to start a business. But life moves mysteriously. Three years became ten, and ten quietly turned into seventeen — before the journey finally led us to Canada.
Before all of that, I started my career in the Philippines as a Medical Representative for a multinational company. That role laid the foundation for the discipline, resilience, and adaptability that would define the years that followed.
3. What inspired your decision to leave Dubai and migrate to Canada?
As much as we loved Dubai — and the UAE as a whole — we always knew it wasn’t meant to be forever. Over the years, we watched friends and family return home after decades of working there, their time eventually coming to a close.
That reality became even clearer during the pandemic. It was then that we realized we needed to move to a country our children could truly call home — not just where we lived, but where they could belong.
4. What do you do in Canada? Can you tell us more about your career journey there?
It was my wife who got promoted. Her company in Dubai gave her a chance to move to their Canadian office. We simply could not refuse it as this was already in our plans. I work as a Global Payments Manager for a large payments company here. My last job in Dubai was also in payments so it really helped me land a great job here.
5. How long did it take for you to process the move? What were the biggest challenges you faced during the migration process, and how did you overcome them?
The transition happened fairly quickly, thanks to my wife’s company, which handled everything — from visas to shipping our belongings and even the plane tickets.
The real challenge came after: adjusting to a new country, new people, a new job, and an entirely different way of life. It was tough at first. There was a lot to get used to — especially the weather. It took a year or two before it truly felt normal.
The kids, though, loved it here from day one!
6. How is life in Canada compared to your experience living in Dubai?
Life here is very different. It feels like moving from a bustling city to a quiet barrio — serene, slower, and deeply family-centric.
Even though we live close to Toronto, we rarely go downtown because of the traffic. Over time, we grew to appreciate the calm. The quieter pace is refreshing, and it gives us more time together as a family.
And yes — malls here close at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. That still takes some getting used to!
7. What do you miss most about living in Dubai?
The malls, the attractions, the busy streets. It’s the whole vibe to be honest. The way you can just go out even at odd hours at night and people are still out and about. And super safe, too!
8. What are your plans for your career/family/future?
This will be our final stop. After nearly two decades as OFWs, we know we’re not getting any younger. In the Middle East, stability is often tied to productivity — you’re valued as long as you’re working.
Canada offers something different: a viable path to long-term security, with strong pension and healthcare systems that make retirement a real possibility. Most importantly, our kids truly love it here — more friends, more time to play, and a sense of freedom they didn’t have before.
They even learned to play basketball here. Gaining good friends along the way!
9. What advice would you give to other OFWs or families considering migrating to Canada?
At the moment, it’s not the best time to move to Canada — especially through the International Student route. The risks are real, and for many, the outcome is uncertain.
However, if you’re working for a multinational company that offers a legitimate opportunity to relocate here, that remains one of the most viable and stable pathways.
If there’s one thing we’d like to share, it’s this: we’re deeply grateful for the years we spent in Dubai and for the family and friends who are still there. Those years shaped us in ways we’ll always carry.
Distance may separate us now, but the bond remains strong. We look forward to the day our paths cross again — whether here, there, or somewhere in between.
To our gracious hosts — the leaders and people of the UAE — we offer our sincere gratitude for your warmth and hospitality. We pray that the nation continues on its path of progress, welcoming expatriates from around the world and providing a place where dreams can be nurtured and fulfilled.
Connect with Ken Online
Get to know more about Ken’s “Bisdak Family in Canada” by following them on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bisdakfamilyincanada/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bisdakfamincanada/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bisdakfamilyincanada
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* Photos from Bisdak Family in Canada FB Page
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